ICD-10 Code for Dermatology Skin Check
The appropriate ICD-10 code for a routine dermatology skin check or skin cancer screening examination is Z12.83 (Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of skin). 1
Primary Screening Code
- Z12.83 is the standard ICD-10 code used to identify skin cancer screening examinations performed by dermatologists and other providers 1
- This code replaced the ICD-9 code V76.43, which served the same purpose prior to the transition to ICD-10 1
Clinical Context for Code Selection
When Z12.83 is Appropriate
- Routine preventive skin examinations in asymptomatic patients without specific skin complaints 1
- Total-body skin examinations (TBSE) performed primarily for all-cause skin cancer detection and prevention 2
- Screening visits for patients at average risk who present for periodic skin checks 3
Alternative Codes for Specific Clinical Scenarios
- If the patient has a personal history of skin cancer, consider adding Z85.82 (Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin) or Z85.828 (Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin) as secondary codes 3
- If the patient has a family history of melanoma, consider Z80.8 (Family history of malignant neoplasm of other organs and systems) 3
- If specific skin lesions are identified during the examination that require further evaluation, code the specific dermatologic diagnosis rather than the screening code 4
Important Coding Considerations
- The adapted ICD-10 for dermatology can correctly code the vast majority of dermatological diagnoses seen in routine clinical practice, though some minor shortcomings exist for certain diseases, particularly newly discovered and emerging diseases 4
- When a screening examination results in a biopsy or diagnosis, the primary diagnosis code should reflect the finding (e.g., melanoma, basal cell carcinoma) rather than the screening code 1
- Documentation should support the screening nature of the visit to justify use of Z12.83, particularly noting whether this is a routine preventive examination versus evaluation of a specific complaint 1